Electrical utility box having vertical adjustment

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to electrical wiring components, and more particularly, to an electrical utility box having a mechanism for providing vertical adjustment after attachment to a wall stud, both before and after wall surface installation and during all phases of construction. A first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an electrical utility box attached to a mounting bracket containing a slot placed longitudinally along the center of the bracket, thereby allowing the electrical utility box to slide along the length of the bracket. A second preferred embodiment includes an electrical utility box and a T-shaped mounting bracket permanently fixed to the electrical box, thereby allowing the combination to be used as a conventional electrical utility box assembly. In addition, an L-shaped optional adjustable mounting bracket to provides a vertical adjustment capability when combined with a T-shaped mounting bracket. A third preferred embodiment includes an electrical utility box attached to a mounting bracket by wrap-around tabs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/217,431 filed Jul. 3, 2008, incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electrical wiring components, and moreparticularly, to an electrical utility box having a mechanism forvertical adjustment after attachment to a wall stud, both before andafter wall surfaces have been installed.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Electrical utility boxes are used to hold and position electricaloutlets and switches. They are typically constructed of metal orplastic, and are designed to hold combinations of one or more electricaloutlets or switches. Conventional electrical boxes further include oneor more openings that allow electrical wires to pass through the wallsof the box and make electrical connection with the outlets or switchescontained therein.

Adjustable mounting assemblies for electrical utility boxes are known,wherein the outlet box is slidably mounted on a bracket secured to awall stud, whereby the outlet box is adjustable so that the front of thebox will be flush with respect to the subsequently applied dry wall orpaneling.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,506 to Smith et al. discloses anadjustable mounting assembly for an electrical outlet box, in which anadjustment bolt serves as both the mechanism for adjustment and as astop member to hold the box at the desired position, thereby provide anunlimited adjustment of the outlet box. The Smith patent is concernedonly with positioning the front of the electrical box relative tosubsequently applied plaster or dry wall and paneling. Smith neitherdiscloses nor suggests an adjustment mechanism for the verticalpositioning of an electrical box.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,307,212 to Gretz discloses an electrical box assemblywith an internal mounting and flange to seal against air infiltration,in order to insulate and minimize air infiltration through walls. Thereis no disclosure or suggestion in Gretz to provide any type ofpositional adjustment.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,179,993 to Rose discloses a universal junction box thatincludes a cable-securing device with the capability to handle both lowvoltage and high voltage cable in a safe and effective manner. While thejunction box of Rose '993 can be mounted in a multitude of environmentsand orientations, it only addresses the anchoring of various sizes ofcable and commonly used flexible conduit. Rose '993 does not disclose orsuggest a mechanism for the vertical positioning of the junction box.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,109,414 to Reynolds discloses a pair of electrical boxesstraddling a construction stud in new construction and remodeling, toprovide a pair of side by side electrical boxes primarily for containinglow voltage distribution modules such as, connector blocks or strips,and wires. Additionally, the Reynolds disclosure pertains to electricalwall boxes that are low voltage wiring systems, including Category (CAT)UPT cables, Coaxial CATV/MATV/CCTV Serial Digital, Computer Network(LAN), and low voltage control and speaker cables, encompassingtelephone, computer, internet, video, low voltage lighting, and thelike. Reynolds does not disclose or suggest the adjustment orpositioning of the electrical boxes.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,109,414 to Johnson et al. discloses an adjustablebracket for securing an electrical box to a stud. More particularly, thebracket displosed in Johnson et al. has an adjustable member to securean electrical box to studs of different sizes, and of either metal orwood stud. The adjustment mechanism neither discloses or suggests thepositioning of an electrical box relative to the wall stud.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,929,140 and 7,109,414 to Rose each disclose a universaljunction box that includes multiple methods for securing cables, variouskinds of wires and conduits and multiple methods for securing the boxwithin a wall cavity. The front side of the box, which can be positionedflush with the installed wall covering, includes fittings for attachinga wall plate, switches, plugs, connectors, and electrical/electronicdevices to the box. The junction box allows the addition of an extensionto the rear of the junction box for a between-wall design for theinstallation and attachment of similar devices on an opposing wallsurface through the same junction box. The junction box also engagesextensions to the side of the junction box allowing two or more gangedbox configurations, which share the multiple methods for securing thejunction box within a wall cavity. However, there is no disclosure orsuggestion in Rose '414 of an adjustment mechanism for verticallypositioning the junction box.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,109,414 to Dinh discloses an adjustable electricaloutlet box assembly includes an outlet box and a box bracket which isadjustably positioned to the outlet box. The box bracket includes a boxattachment portion having a deflectable finger for resilient engagementwith a side wall of the box. The bracket further includes a studattachment portion for engagement with the stud. The bracket isadjustably positioned on the box so that the box may be adjustablypositioned such that the open front face of the outlet box lies flushwith respect to the surface of the wall board placed over the stud.There is no disclosure or suggestion to provide an adjustment mechanismfor vertically positioning the electrical outlet box.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,878,877 to Cozzi et al. discloses an adjustableelectrical outlet box assembly comprising an outlet box, an electricaloutlet assembly, and an adaptor. The adaptor may be adjusted todifferent heights, relative to the outlet box, to accommodate differentthicknesses for different floor or wall covering materials. Cozzi et al.contains no disclosure or suggestion of an adjustment mechanism forvertically positioning the electrical outlet box.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,312,396 to Gorman discloses an electrical box thatprovides a vertical adjustment that is limited to floor-mountedconfigurations. All adjustments on Gorman are made relative to the floorand such adjustments much be made prior to installation of the wallsurfaces. There is no disclosure or suggestion in Gorman to provide avertical adjustment mechanism for electrical boxes that are not floormounted, nor can the vertical adjustments of Gorma be made afterinstallation of the wall surfaces.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,476,807 to Gretz discloses an electrical box assemblyfor providing a secure electrical enclosure on walls constructed withsteel studs of two conventional sizes. There is no disclosure orsuggestion in Gretz to provide any vertical adjustment capability afterthe electrical box assembly is attached to the steel wall stud.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,795,224 to Mangin discloses a floor-mounted electricaloutlet box with an adjustable supporting bracket therefore that can bepositioned without preliminary measuring, so that the box will fallflush, with either the plastering or baseboard facing of a wallpartition. The main design criteria in Mangin provides an outlet boxthat moves in and out of the wall to accommodate two variable wallfinish dimensions. There is no disclosure or suggestion in Mangin toprovide a vertical adjustment capability during all phases ofconstruction.

While some of the prior art electrical outlet boxes provide anadjustment mechanism for wall thickness, none disclose or suggest avertical positioning adjustment mechanism that provides for adjustmentduring the rough-in phase, after the rough-in phase, and after the finalwall surfaces have been installed.

Accordingly, there is a need for an electrical utility box having anadjustment mechanism that provides for the vertical positioning of thebox after attachment to a wall stud, during all construction phases andafter the final wall surfaces have been installed, thereby allowingvertical adjustment to made at any time during all phases of aconstruction project.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to electrical wiring components, and moreparticularly, to an electrical utility box having a mechanism forproviding vertical adjustment after attachment to a wall stud, bothbefore and after final wall surfaces have been installed. This mechanismprovides a simple and cost-effective alternative to conventionalelectrical utility boxes, which must be removed and relocated in orderto provide a vertical adjustment.

A first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises anelectrical utility box attached to a mounting bracket containing a slotplaced longitudinally along the center of the bracket, thereby allowingthe electrical utility box to slide along the length of the bracket. Theutility box is attached to the bracket with two fasteners that allow theutility box to slide along the face of the wall bracket. The verticalposition of the utility box is secured by a set screw that is tightenedagainst the mounting bracket. The set screw is oriented at an angle withits head facing the open front of the utility box, thereby providing aneasy means of adjustment of the utility box, even after installation ofthe wall surface and without the need for special tools.

The first preferred embodiment further comprises a notch on the frontedge of the mounting bracket, and a mark on the front edge of theutility box that is attached to the mounting bracket, both used incombination to center the utility box along the mounting bracket. In thepreferred embodiment, the electrical utility box and mounting bracket ofthe present invention will be manufactured so that the default settingwould be set to center. This will allow for quick and easy placement ofthe utility box to the wall stud during its initial placement.

The mounting bracket of the first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention further incorporates alignment tabs on the front edge of thebracket at both the top and bottom, thereby providing easy setting ofthe utility box and mounting bracket assembly flush to the front faceedge of the wall stud. These alignment tabs, bent at a 90 degree anglefrom the face of the bracket, act as stops so that the bracket alignsflush with the face of the wall stud so that the proper preset of thebox offset of either ½ or ⅝ is maintained. Further, the first embodimentincludes a preset offset for either a ½ or ⅝ inch wall finish thickness.This eliminates the need for a mud ring, which is used with conventionalelectrical utility boxes to flush the box out to the final wall finish.The two offsets (½ or ⅝ inch), cover the two most common wallthicknesses in residential construction.

A second preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises anelectrical utility box with a T-shaped mounting bracket permanentlyfixed to the electrical box, thereby allowing the electrical utility boxto be used as a conventional electrical utility box assembly. Inaddition, an L-shaped optional adjustable mounting bracket provides avertical adjustment capability. If an installer is uncertain as to theexact elevation of some of the boxes on a job, the installer can use theoptional L-shaped adjustable mounting bracket with the utility box toprovide easy adjustments of those boxes at a later time when the designissues have been finalized. This allows the installer to move forwardwith the rough-in phase of his work, and makes for a fast and easy taskof moving those utility boxes at a later time, both before and after thewall surfaces have been installed.

The optional adjustable mounting bracket of the third preferredembodiment includes an L-shaped adjustable bracket to straddle the wallstud, further including multiple holes for securing the mounting bracketto the wall stud, and a U-shaped channel on the inside face of thebracket to receive the T-shaped mounting bracket that is permanentlyfixed to the utility box. The L-shape mounting bracket serves twopurposes. The first is to assure that the L-shaped adjustable bracketproperly meets the front of the wall stud. As with the first and secondembodiments discussed above, the third preferred embodiment includes apredetermined offset option of ½ or ⅝ inch. Once attached to the wallstud, the L-shaped bracket allows the T-shaped mounting bracket toeasily slide into the U-shaped channel on the inside face of theL-shaped adjustable bracket. This keeps the utility box in perfectalignment to the offset requirements of the wall thickness.

The second purpose of the L-shaped adjustable bracket is to allow theutility box to slide along the length of the L-shaped adjustablebracket. Specifically, the T-shaped mounting bracket slides along theU-shaped channel of the L-shaped adjustable bracket. As with the firstand second embodiments of the present invention, the movement of theutility box along the L-shaped adjustable bracket is secured by a setscrew located in the wall of the utility box adjacent to the T-shapedmounting bracket.

A third preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises anelectrical utility box attached to a mounting bracket by wrap-aroundtabs. The wrap-around tabs are formed as a part of the utility box andare designed to straddle the mounting bracket with a small gap betweenthe side of the bracket and the face of the utility box, therebyallowing the utility box to slide along the length of the mountingbracket. As with the first embodiment, The vertical position of theutility box is secured by a set screw that is tightened against themounting bracket.

All other features of the first preferred embodiment apply to the secondand third preferred embodiments, including the center marks on theutility box and mounting bracket, the alignment tabs on the mountingbracket, and the ½ and ⅝ inch offset selections.

One object of the present invention is to provide an improved electricalutility box having a vertical adjustment mechanism, both before andafter installation of the wall surfaces.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electricalutility box whose position can be easily adjusted without repositioningits mounting bracket.

Still another object is to provide an electrical utility box that can beused in both residential and commercial applications.

Yet another of the present invention is to provide an electrical utilitybox that can be adjusted during all phases of a construction project.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will beappreciated by a review of the following detailed-description of thepreferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be best understood by referring to thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments and theaccompanying drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements, andin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an electricalutility box 100, constructed according to the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of electrical utility box 100, showing the verticaladjustment mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a front view of electrical utility box 100, showing the setscrew and mounting tabs for electrical components such as outlets orswitches;

FIG. 4 is a side view of electrical utility box 100, showing theavailable range of vertical adjustment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an electricalutility box 200, constructed according to the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of electrical utility box 200, showing the verticaladjustment mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a front view of electrical utility box 200, showing theavailable range of vertical adjustment;

FIG. 8 is a side view of electrical utility box 200, also showing theavailable range of vertical adjustment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an electricalutility box 300, constructed according to the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a side view of electrical utility box 300, showing thevertical adjustment mechanism;

FIG. 11 is a front view of electrical utility box 300, showing theavailable range of vertical adjustment; and

FIG. 12 is a top view of electrical utility box 300, also showing thevertical adjustment mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following exemplary discussion focuses on an electrical utility boxthat provides a vertical adjustment mechanism, the latter allowing forvertical positioning both before and after final wall surfaces have beeninstalled, and during all phases of construction.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a first preferredembodiment of an electrical utility box assembly 100, constructed inaccordance with the present invention, is shown. Electrical utility boxassembly 100 comprises an electrical utility box 102 attached to amounting bracket 104, the latter containing a slot 112 placedlongitudinally along the center of bracket 104, thereby allowingelectrical utility box 102 to slide along the length of bracket 104.Mounting bracket 104 includes mounting holes 114-120 for attachingelectrical utility box assembly to a wall stud or other attachmentpoint, using conventional nails or screws (not shown). Utility box 102is attached to mounting bracket 104 with two fasteners 108-110 that passthrough slot 112 and allow utility box 102 to slide along the face ofbracket 104. The vertical position of utility box 102 is secured by aset screw 106 that is tightened against mounting bracket 104. Set screw106 is oriented at an angle with its head facing the open front ofutility box 102, thereby providing an easy means of vertical adjustmentof utility box 102 during all phases of construction and withoutrequiring special tools.

The first preferred embodiment further comprises a notch 105 on a frontedge 103 of mounting bracket 104, and a mark 101 on a side of utilitybox 102 that is adjacent to mounting bracket 104. Mark 101 and notch 105are used in combination to center utility box 102 along mounting bracket104. In the preferred embodiment, utility box 102 and mounting bracket104 may be manufactured so that the default setting between utility box102 and mounting bracket 104 is set to center. This will allow for quickand easy placement of electrical utility box assembly 100 to a wall studduring its initial placement.

Mounting bracket 104 aligns flush with utility box 102 to a properpreset offset of either ½ or ⅝ inch from the face of the wall stud.Further, the first embodiment includes a preset offset for either a ½ or⅝ inch wall finish thickness. This eliminates the need for a mud ring,which is used with conventional electrical utility boxes to align thebox with the final wall finish. The two offsets (½ or ⅝ inch), cover thetwo most common wall thicknesses in residential construction.

FIG. 2 is a top view of electrical utility box assembly 100, including acut-away portion of utility box 102 showing the angled positioning ofset screw 106 relative to utility box 102 and mounting bracket 104. Setscrew 106 provides a frictional force which holds utility box 102 inposition along mounting bracket 104.

FIG. 3 is a front view of utility box assembly 100, showing utility box102 centered on mounting bracket 104. FIG. 3 also provides a cut-awayview showing how fasteners 108 and 110 pass through slot 102 to providean slidably adjustable attachment between utility box 102 and mountingbracket 104. Also shown are tabs 122-128 that are used to mountconventional electrical switches, receptacles, low-voltage outlets, andsimilar electrical components to utility box 102. Also shown in FIG. 3are mounting holes 116 and 120, which were described above in connectionwith FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of utility box assembly 100, including a cut-awayportion of utility box 102 showing the position of fastener 108 inrelation to slot 112 of mounting bracket 104. FIG. 4 also providesanother view of set screw 106, which is used to fix the position ofutility box 102 along mounting bracket 104. Also shown in FIG. 4 aremounting holes 114 and 118, which were described above in connectionwith FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a perspective view of a second preferredembodiment of an electrical utility box assembly 200, constructed inaccordance with the present invention, is shown. Electrical utility boxassembly 200 comprises an electrical utility box 202 and a T-shapedmounting bracket 208 permanently fixed to utility box 202, therebyallowing the combination to be used as a conventional electrical utilitybox assembly. In addition, electrical utility box assembly 200 includesan L-shaped adjustable mounting bracket 204 containing a U-shapedchannel 211 on its inside face 213, in which T-shaped mounting bracket208 can fit, thereby allowing electrical utility box 202 to slide alongthe length of L-shaped adjustable mounting bracket 204.

More particularly, L-shaped adjustable mounting bracket 204 serves twopurposes. The first is to assure that L-shaped adjustable mountingbracket 204 properly meets the offset requirements of the wallthickness. As with the first embodiment discussed above, electricalutility box assembly 200 includes an offset option of ½ or ⅝ inch. Onceattached to the wall stud, L-shaped bracket 204 allows T-shaped mountingbracket 208 to easily slide into U-shaped channel 211 on its inside face213. This keeps utility box 202 in alignment with the offsetrequirements of the wall thickness. In addition, L-shaped adjustablemounting bracket 204 is designed to fit on the corner of a wall stud,and further includes multiple mounting holes 210-216 for securingL-shaped adjustable mounting bracket 204 to the wall stud.

The second purpose of L-shaped adjustable mounting bracket 204 is toallow utility box 202 to slide along the length of L-shaped adjustablemounting bracket 204. Specifically, T-shaped mounting bracket 208 fitsinto, and slides along, U-shaped channel 211 of L-shaped adjustablemounting bracket 204. As with the first embodiment of the presentinvention, the position of utility box 202 along L-shaped adjustablemounting bracket 204 is secured by a set screw 206 located in the wallof the utility box 202 adjacent to T-shaped mounting bracket 208.

Using electrical utility box assembly 200, if an installer is uncertainas to the exact elevation of some of the electrical utility boxes on aconstruction job, he or she can use the optioner L-shaped adjustablemounting bracket 204 in combination with T-shaped mounting bracket 208and utility box 202 to provide easy adjustments of certain boxes at alater time when the design issues have been finalized. This allows theinstaller to move forward with the rough-in phase of his or her work,and provides a fast and easy way of moving those utility boxes at alater time.

FIG. 6 is a top view of electrical utility box assembly 200, including acut-away portion of utility box 202 showing the angled positioning ofset screw 206, utility box 202, T-shaped mounting bracket 208, andL-shaped adjustable mounting bracket 204.

FIG. 7 is a front view of utility box assembly 200, showing utility box202 centered on L-shaped adjustable mounting bracket 204. Also shown aretabs 218-224 that are used to mount conventional electrical switches,receptacles, and similar electrical components to utility box 202. Alsoshown in FIG. 7 are mounting holes 212 and 214, which are used to attachL-shaped adjustable mounting bracket 204 to a wall stud, and mountingholes 210 and 216 shown in FIG. 8, which are used to attach T-shapedmounting bracket on the inside face of a wall stud.

FIG. 8 is a side view of utility box assembly 200, including a cut-awayportion of utility box 202 showing the position of T-shaped mountingbracket 208 in relation to U-shaped channel 211 of L-shaped adjustablemounting bracket 204. Also shown in FIG. 8 are mounting holes 210, 216and 212 and 214, which were described above in connection with FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of anelectrical utility box assembly 300, constructed in accordance with thepresent invention, Electrical utility box assembly 300 comprises anelectrical utility box 302 and a mounting bracket 304 attached toelectrical box 302 by wrap-around tabs 308-312 (see FIG. 10).Wrap-around tabs 308-312 are formed as a part of utility box 302 and aredesigned to straddle mounting bracket 304 with a small gap 311 (see FIG.11) between the side of mounting bracket 304 and the adjacent face ofutility box 302, thereby allowing the latter to slide along the lengthof mounting bracket 304. As with the first and second embodiments, thevertical position of utility box 302 is secured by a set screw 306 thatis tightened against mounting bracket 304.

FIG. 10 is a side view of electrical utility box assembly 300, showingthe position of wrap-around tabs 308-312 in relation to utility box 302and mounting bracket 304. Also shown in FIG. 10 are mounting holes 308and 310 for attaching electrical utility box assembly 300 to a wallstud.

FIG. 11 is a front view of utility box assembly 300, showing utility box302 centered on mounting bracket 304. Also shown are tabs 312 and 314that are used to mount conventional electrical switches, receptacles,and similar electrical components to utility box 302. Also shown is gap311 between utility box 302 and mounting bracket 304.

FIG. 12 is a top view of utility box assembly 300, including a cut-awayportion of utility box 302 showing the position of set screw 306 inrelation to utility box 302 and mounting bracket 304.

All other features of the first and second preferred embodiments applyto the third preferred embodiment, including the center marks on theutility box and mounting bracket, the alignment tabs on the mountingbracket, and the ½ and ⅝ inch offset selections.

The advantages of the present invention over the prior art are that thepresent invention allows adjustments in the vertical of electrical boxesused to hold outlets, switches, lights, and low voltage accessories,both before and after final wall finishes are applied to wall studs inthe construction of single- and multi-family residential homes, as wellcommercial buildings. Currently, there are no products available thatallow easy vertical adjustment for and electrical utility box after thelatter has been attached to the wall stud. The following are examples ofthe use of the present invention in several phases of the constructionof residential homes and multifamily structures.

The adjustment capability of the present invention before wall finishesare applied (e.g., drywall, stucco, plaster, siding, tile, etc.) issimple and fast. Simply loosen the set screw located inside the utilitybox and adjust the box up or down to the desired elevation, thenretighten the set screw. With conventional electrical utility boxes, thetask is complicated by having to remove multiple screws or set nailsfrom the fixed wall bracket, moving the box, then reattaching the box.This process is both time-consuming and costly.

The amount of vertical adjustment provided by the present invention isdependent on the length of wire left inside the electrical box, whichthe electrical installer can determine at the time of installing ofwire. In cases in which the exact height of the electrical box is inquestion at the time of installation, the electrical installer can allowextra wire to extend through the utility box of the present inventionuntil the exact vertical position of the box is determined.

The above example is a very common occurrence in bathrooms and kitchens,where tile patterns and wood wainscoting affects the placement ofelectrical outlets, switches and light fixture boxes. If the desiredvertical position is not accurately determined prior to the placement ofdrywall onto the interior side of the wall, the vertical adjustment ofthe utility box of the present invention provides a simple andcost-effective solution. Simply cut the drywall above or below(depending on whether the box needs to move up or down) the wall openingto the exact width of the opening of the outlet or switch and the heightof the required movement. Loosen the set screw inside the utility boxand slide the box up or down, then retighten the set screw.

Using the present invention, the amount and cost of drywall patchingneeded is substantially reduced. In fact, the cutout piece can be usedto patch the remaining opening that occurs above or below the utilitybox. For example, a single gang outlet box requiring a four inch raisein elevation would require a 2 inch wide by 4 inch drywall cutout. Thiscutout piece could then be used to fill in the opening below the raisedbox, thereby reducing the cost of drywall repair. The amount of drywallremoval to change the vertical position of a conventional outlet box ismuch larger, (usually 10 inches by 10 inches) since the adjustmentrequires a very large cutout to allow access for the electrician toremove the screws or nails securing the box to the wall.

More importantly, the cutout piece could not be used in the patching ofthe new opening, thus requiring additional patching materials. Thelargest cost-saving feature of the present invention is that anytradesman can make the adjustment to the vertical position of theutility box, usually after the electrician has completed their rough-inphase. Most changes occur after the electrician is off the job whileother phases of work are being performed by other trades, and oftenfollowing the installation of the wall surfaces. The present inventionprovides for fast and easy vertical adjustments to utility boxes,thereby expediting all phases of down line work.

The simple design of the present invention allows for the sameproduction costs as of similar electrical boxes that have a fixed sidemount attachment bracket. The present invention can be used with allmetal and plastic utility box configurations, including single gang,double gang, triple gang and quad boxes. For example, the embodimentspresented in this patent application are intended to be used with bothplastic and metal utility boxes and brackets.

Virtually every construction project has electrical utility boxes thatrequire up to several inches of vertical adjustment following initialattachment to a wall stud. In the most extreme cases, however, utilitybox adjustment in kitchen and bathroom backsplash areas can be up tofour to six inches. This is mostly due to tile patterns using decorativetiles that extend outward from the face of the field tile, thus makingthe cover plate of the switch or outlet uneven with the face of the maintile surface. As mentioned at the beginning of the present application,these changes usually occur after the electrician has completed theirbox setting phase according to the construction conditions that wereknown at that time. There are similar situations on projects where otherareas of the building are affected by wall finish schedules that changeafter the completion of drywall that makes the electrical utility box ofthe present invention a cost-effective tool.

The foregoing description includes what are at present considered to bepreferred embodiments of the invention. However, it will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention. For example, the utility boxes andmounting brackets may be constructed of metal or plastic as required byspecific building codes. Additionally, the utility boxes may hold one ormore switches, receptacles, or other devices. Accordingly, it isintended that such changes and modifications fall within the spirit andscope of the invention, and that the invention be limited only by thefollowing claims.

1. An electrical utility box assembly, comprising the combination of: aelectrical utility box having four side portions, a back portion, and afront opening; a mounting bracket having a longitudinal axis; means forattaching said electrical utility box to said mounting bracket, suchthat said electrical utility box slides along said longitudinal axis ofsaid mounting bracket; and means for fixing said electrical utility boxalong said longitudinal axis of said mounting bracket, said means forfixing accessible through said front opening of said electrical utilitybox; whereby said electrical utility box assembly provides for verticaladjustment of said electrical utility box both before and afterinstallation of wall surfaces.
 2. The electrical utility box assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said electrical utility box contains one or moreelectrical components, said electrical components further comprising acombination of electrical switches and receptacles.
 3. The electricalutility box assembly of claim 1, wherein said electrical utility box isconstructed of metal.
 4. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1,wherein said electrical utility box is constructed of plastic.
 5. Theelectrical utility box assembly of claim 1, wherein said mountingbracket is constructed of metal.
 6. The electrical utility box assemblyof claim 1, wherein said mounting bracket is constructed of plastic. 7.The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1, wherein said mountingbracket further comprises a slot placed along longitudinal axis of saidmounting bracket, and said means for attaching comprises at least tworivets that pass through a side of said electrical utility box andthrough said slot, thereby allowing said electrical utility box to slidealong a portion of said mounting bracket.
 8. The electrical utility boxassembly of claim 1, wherein said mounting bracket further comprises aplurality of mounting holes for attaching said mounting bracket to awall stud.
 9. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid means for attaching further comprises a pair of fastenersconnecting said electrical utility box to said slot of said mountingbracket.
 10. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid means for attaching further comprises a plurality of tabs attachedto a side of said electrical utility box, said tabs for receiving saidmounting bracket.
 11. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1,wherein said means for attaching further comprises a fixed mountingbracket attached to said electrical utility box, and said mountingbracket further comprises a channel for receiving said fixed mountingbracket.
 12. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid means for fixing further comprises a set screw, said set screw forapplying friction to hold said electrical utility box at a desiredlocation, and said set screw accessible from said front opening of saidutility box.
 13. An electrical utility box assembly, comprising: aelectrical utility box for holding one or more electrical componentsdisposed within said electrical utility box, said electrical componentsincluding a combination of electrical switches, receptacles andlow-voltage components; a mounting bracket having a longitudinal axis;means for attaching said electrical utility box to said mountingbracket, such that said electrical utility box slides along saidlongitudinal axis of said mounting bracket; and means for fixing saidelectrical utility box along said longitudinal axis of said mountingbracket; whereby said electrical utility box assembly provides forvertical adjustment of said electrical utility box during all phases ofconstruction.
 14. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 13,wherein said means for attaching further comprises a pair of fastenersconnecting said electrical utility box through a slot disposed alongsaid longitudinal axis of said mounting bracket.
 15. The electricalutility box assembly of claim 13, wherein said means for attachingfurther comprises a plurality of tabs attached to a side of saidelectrical utility box, said tabs for wrapping around an outside edge ofsaid mounting bracket.
 16. The electrical utility box assembly of claim13, wherein said means for attaching further comprises a fixed mountingbracket attached to said electrical utility box, and said mountingbracket further comprises a channel for receiving said fixed mountingbracket.
 17. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 13, whereinsaid means for fixing further comprises a set screw, said set screw forapplying friction to hold said electrical utility box at a desiredposition along said mounting bracket, and said set screw accessiblethrough a front opening of said electrical utility box.
 18. Theelectrical utility box assembly of claim 13, wherein said electricalutility box is constructed of metal.
 19. The electrical utility boxassembly of claim 13, wherein said electrical utility box is constructedof plastic.
 20. The electrical utility box assembly of claim 13, whereinsaid mounting bracket is constructed of metal.
 21. The electricalutility box assembly of claim 13, wherein said mounting bracket isconstructed of plastic.